First American Shot Down in WWI - Horace Clyde Balsley was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania to Enos J. Balsley and Elizabeth (nee: Phelps). He was known as Clyde to his family. Clyde's father was a Pastor and expected his son to follow in his footsteps. Clyde decided he wanted to stand up for what he believed in, and shortly after his father's death, he applied for his passport, on January 19, 1915, to travel to France to fight in WWI. When he arrived in France, in 1916, he joined 7 other American Pilots, and became part of the original members of the Lafayette Escadrille. On June 18th, 1916, Clyde was the first American to be shot down during WWI. The New York Times ran a story about his misfortune on June 22, 1916 titled "40 German Airmen Attack 3 Americans". In this article, they stated that Clyde and 2 other Americans "put up a thrilling fight" against the 40 Germans. The air battle took place over the German lines where Clyde and the other pilots were ordered to protect a squadron of slow artillery observation planes. The Germans appeared and an air fight ensued. Clyde was hit in the hip with what was described as an "explosive" bullet. The French Captian, who was in the air with Clyde, feared he was finished and ordered the rest of the crew to head for home. Clyde, managed to land his plane on friendly soil using his one good leg. Clyde was honored by the French on June 23rd, 1916. The French Air Comandant flew to the hospital to award Clyde with the French Military Medal (French Medaille Militaire) and the French War Cross (Croix de Guerre) according to the New York Times article published on June 24, 1916. Clyde not only survived the crash but also many operations and returned home to the United States, as a War Hero on December 26, 1917. On November 15th, 1919, he married actress Miriam MacDonald, the Oakland Tribune Newspaper (dated: Novemeber 16, 1919) listed the wedding on the front page with the title "Miriam MacDonald, Film Star, Gives Up Screen Honors to Become Bride of Hero". Clyde still had to endure operations due to his injury after he returned to the United States. He eventually died due to complications from the injury to his hip in Los Angeles, California.
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